During the Memorial Day Weekend, ten Ukrainian soldiers joined American veterans in the Soldier Field 10 race, a prominent memorial sporting event held in Chicago. This participation underscores the solidarity between Ukraine and the United States, as well as the shared experiences of war and remembrance.
The race took place on May 23, coinciding with National Barrier-Free Week. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the involvement of Ukrainian military personnel in this event has become a tradition, symbolizing mutual respect and the commemoration of fallen heroes.
At the opening ceremony, the Ukrainian delegation participated in the Circle of Remembrance, a memorial honoring deceased soldiers. The event organizers paid tribute to five fallen Ukrainian heroes before the races, which included a 10-mile and a 10-kilometer run.
The delegation was led by retired Major General Volodymyr Havrylov, a former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine and director of the charity foundation “Veterans’ Ten,” which focuses on the rehabilitation and support of injured Ukrainian veterans.
Among the participants was veteran Yuriy Tsintylevych, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation after sustaining severe injuries while defending Ukraine. His completion of the Soldier Field 10 serves as a testament to the resilience of Ukrainian soldiers even after facing the challenges of war.
During the ceremony, Havrylov was ceremonially presented with the American flag, symbolizing respect for Ukraine’s history and the sacrifices made by its people and veterans who continue to fight for freedom.
Vira Eliashievska, co-chair of the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, expressed gratitude for the invitation extended to the Ukrainian military personnel. She stated, “We take pride in participating in the Soldier Field 10 to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to America and Ukraine—those who fought for freedom. We sincerely thank the organizers for inviting our Ukrainian soldiers and Major General to join in honoring five fallen Ukrainian heroes during today’s opening ceremony before the races…”
In addition to the race, the Ukrainian delegation visited several cultural sites in Chicago, including the Ukrainian National Museum, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, the school at St. Nicholas Cathedral, and St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Bloomingdale, which serves as a memorial for the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, victims of the Holodomor, and Ukrainian and American veterans.
A significant part of their program involved laying flowers at the grave of Mykhailo “Chicago” Yavorsky, a U.S. Army veteran of Ukrainian descent who returned to defend Ukraine following the full-scale invasion by Russia and was killed in action in 2023 while saving his comrades. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.
The visit was organized in partnership with the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, the Veterans’ Ten charity foundation, the “Spring!” charity foundation, Revived Soldiers Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Running Club Chicago. The project received support from the Ukrainian defense technology developer Infozahyst and the “Heritage” Foundation of the First Federal Savings Bank “Pevnist”.
The participation of Ukrainian soldiers in the Soldier Field 10 race in Chicago highlights the ongoing solidarity between Ukraine and the U.S. This event not only commemorates fallen heroes but also showcases the resilience of Ukrainian veterans amidst ongoing challenges.